With new boss Slaven Bilic watching from the stands, the Hammers returned to action just 39 days after the Premier League season ground to a halt - and with the Ashes series yet to begin.

A place in the first qualifying round of the competition was the club's reward for topping the Fair Play Table.

That meant the club's final season at Upton Park kicked-off against Andorran minnows FC Lusitans before Wimbledon has reached the halfway stage.

And it took two goals from Sakho in the final five minutes of the first half to shake the sand from between their toes and finally get West Ham on track against a side who play their home games in front of a handful of fans.

James Tomkins headed a third just before the hour to ensure the return leg in the tiny mountain principality next Thursday should be a formality.

THREE AND EASY: James Tomkins rounded off the scoring [GETTY]

And if everything goes to plan for Bilic's side, they will play their sixth game in this competition 48 hours before the first weekend of the new Premier League campaign.

Plans for the European adventure - the club's first since 2006 - were put in place before the new manager's arrival with Terry Westley in charge of preparations.

And the Croat opted to allow the academy manager to remain in charge of the collection of kids and senior players pulled together for this round.

Only five of the starting eleven were regular first-teamers last year - while 16-year-old Reece Oxford was handed his debut to become the club's youngest ever player.

By the final whistle, five youngsters had made their senior debuts for the club.

Bilic was given a rousing reception before kick-off but was then forced to endure a frustrating 40-minute wait before Sakho headed the first.

The striker made it two on the stroke of half time with a right-foot shot after being set up by Morgan Amaltifano.

And Amaltifano was again the provider when Tomkins headed the third to kill off the game.